Fun at the beach

When we were playing at the beach this holidays, we saw these strange sand shells.  The were kind of hard, but crumbled if we crushed them.  They were not slimy.  We were really not sure what they were.

But on the last day at the island, we found out what they were.  They are from eggs that hatch.  it is the padding to protect the eggs.  Two other kids tolds us.  But we are not sure what kind of creature uses these shells made of snot and sand.



Does anyone know?  Here are a few other pictures.  Love, Jenna

Half-Birthday Party

Jenna: We celebrated our half-birthday with our family in Portugal.  The party was at Tio Lipe’s house. He is my uncle.   This day was special because I got to have a castle cake and I got to eat it.  On top of the cake was a Polly Pocket princess.  I got a Barbie Fairy as a present. I really love it.  We had a dance party.  Afterwards I got to scooter in Tio Lipe’s garage. 

Marcos:  We had a castle cake the looked real. On top was a Play mobile knight and a Polly Pocket Princess.  We had a dance performance on my uncle’s back porch.  We set up the dance performance like this: everybody was inside except for me, Jenna, Mama and Tio Lipe.  While everyone was inside, we practiced dancing for the performance.  Then when we were ready we told everyone to come out and watch in the chairs that were set up.  Jenna and Mama danced first.  They danced to mellow music.  Then it was my turn. I danced to a crazy song by Shaggy.  I felt really good while I was dancing.  Everybody loved it.

I really miss all of my friends. It would have been fun to have you guys here.  Some of the things I really like in Portugal….

1.     Half-birthdays

2.     Riding on the tractor

3.     Petting Bella (our little dog)

4.     Going and working at our new house in Nantes

5.     Putting the sheep to bed with my grandfather

6.     Playing tennis

7.     Playing soccer

8.     Riding my bike

9.     Working on a bridge that I made

10.  Swimming

11.  Spending time at our house in Sao Lourenco

12. Playing on the patio at Quinta da Mata

13. Riding on the donkey cart with our burra named Flash.

14. Counting the church bells in Sao Lourenco so that I know what time it is.

15. Playing with my stuffed animals

16. Reading the book Aiden gave me.

17. Spending time with my grandparents

18. Learning about wine and corking a bottle myself

19. Going to the beach that has a playground pirate ship. I’m going there in a couple of days.

20. Going to the park in Chaves.

Animals at Quinta da Mata by Jenna

Quinta da Mata is the name of my grandparents’ farm.  My favorite animals at Quinta da Mata are the baby chickies.  They are called “pintainhos” in Portuguese.  There are 10 baby chicks.  I held a baby chick.  It was so soft.  The mama chicken was mad and she pecked me. It really hurt.  Everyday I get to feed the chickens – “chickie food.”  I also get to let them out of the chicken house.  Once my “Vovo” grandfather put some water in the house for the chickens to drink but he put too much.  Two of the little chicks fell in and drowned. We felt sad about that.

Yesterday a baby sheep was born.  It could walk right away!  It was pretty big and it had a long tail. Portuguese sheep have long tails. 

I rode Quinta da Mata’s donkey named Flash!!  It was really bumpy but really slow.  We have a cart that we are going to hook up to Flash and we are going to ride behind it….maybe today. 

There are three horses at Quinta da Mata. One of them is a baby and it is a boy. 

There are many dogs at Quinta da Mata. One of the dogs is named Chili just like our dog in America.  The Chili here is black.  Bella is a puppy and I like to pet her and have fun with her. She always licks my hand.

Every day is so fun at Quinta da Mata.

Jenna

Beach time

We are in Sao Martinho - a beach town in Portugal.  Yesterday was our first day at the beach.   We rented a little tent on the beach called a "cabana."  It is like a little house with a roof and an awning.  It gives us shade and shelter.  Then we walked on the beach to a very big sand dune.  It was huge like as tall as the school.  I climbed up it 2 and a half times.  The sand was very hot. very hot!  I didn't have shoes on and by the end of the climb my feet were burned to death!

I played a lot of beach soccer with my family.  I also swam with my snorkel and mask.  When we arrived back to the apartment we went swimming in a pool.

Today I'm looking forward to playing beach soccer and going out on a pedal boat with my Tio (uncle) Lipe and my vovo (grandfather).   I am also looking forward to eating ice cream or popsicles.  

From Marcos


 

checking in...

First we checked in at the Charlotte airport. we waited around a long time for our parents to get our tickets. we will be on 3 flights before we arrive in Portugal tomorrow.
i am excited to play games and watch movies on the plane. from Marcos.
Jenna says: i am going to miss my friends.  i am excited to watch video games and watch movies on the plane.  My grandparents will get me tomorrow. I  think they will give me a lot of candy.

time to get on the plane.